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Monthly Archives: March 2012

Alban Eilir, the Spring Equinox is nearly here. It is the time of equal day and night but a time of looking forward to longer days. Everything in nature is awakening at this time. The sun is gaining strength and the days grow longer and warmer. Catkins and blossom can be seen on the trees as well as buds while spring flowers show themselves and lambs appear in the fields.

It is time to reach out for what we want for ourselves and the world; time to begin new ventures, journey and make plans. It is time also to work towards balance in ourselves which will bring healing and change into our lives. We can look forward with joy to the months still to come and celebrate this time.

The symbolic plant for Alban Eilir is the trefoil or shamrock. This plant is worn on St. Patricks day which is on the 17th March, very near to the Equinox. The three leaves of the shamrock symbolise the Trinity but also the Triple Goddess; Artemis, Triple Moon Goddess of the Greeks. She fed her hinds on trefoil. Oestre, the Goddess of Light is also associated with this festival as she brings fertility in the Spring.

Things you can do at this time include planting seeds, decorating eggs, meditating with trees, plan for the coming months and let go of things you no longer need.

How do we define sacred spaces? To me many ordinary places can be called sacred because they are special to me. All of our Earth is sacred and we should treat it with care.

I have spent some time this morning scanning photos taken over the years for my new book. I have found some photos of ancient trees, some where the roots have grown above ground and some photos of woodland streams. There is something very special about both trees and woodland streams but today the stream wins. I love to sit by or on rocks in streams and rivers. My cares flow away with the running water and I feel refreshed quite quickly. Below is a photo of one of the many special places for me, the river at Betws y Coed where I have spent many happy hours.

So how do I see sacred space? Sacred space to me is anywhere that I can feel the connection between myself and Mother Earth, anywhere that I can feel the connection between myself and the Universe. So everything is sacred space! But some places are more special to me than others. Many people who are Druids feel that Stonehenge is the place to be and it is very special to them. My feelings about Stonehenge are ambiguous and heretic according to some. I can stand there and admire those who built this circle of stones, feel the essence of their lives as they did this work. I think about their origins; did they come from elsewhere in our Universe? Where did they get their knowledge to build this circle? But there are other places in this country and in others, where my feelings of being connected to the Earth are much stronger and much more profound.

The photo on the front of my book shows a path through woodland leading to a very special place to several dolmens, a very sacred space and the feeling of connection is very strong to me right there.

Much of the poetry in my book is connected with the land, our Earth, and the ancestors.